Voter ID (India)

India
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The Indian voter ID card is an identity document issued by the Election Commission of India to adult domiciles of India who have reached the age of 18, which primarily serves as an identity proof for Indian citizens while casting their ballot in the country's municipal, state, and national elections. It also serves as general identity, address, and age proof for other purposes such as buying a mobile phone SIM card or applying for a passport. It is also known as Electoral Photo ID Card (EPIC). It was first introduced in 1993 during the tenure of the Chief Election Commissioner TN Seshan.[1]

Physical appearance

The card was a black & white or color laminated plain paper in bygone days. Now-a-days , it is being issued in color laminated card format. Its size is almost that of the bank card. It is a plastic card and not a smart card. It contains the passport photo, date of birth, and address of the card holder. It also contains the serial number, a hologram sticker and stamped signature of the issuing authority.

This card does not contain the part number and serial number of the given constituency. Although part number and serial number are most important to reach the specific booth for vote cast, yet it keeps changing every year. Now people can find their electoral part number and serial number easily as the data has been put online by the Election Commission.[2]

Obtaining voter card

The voter card is issued to all Indian citizens who have attained the age of 18 years and qualify to be a voter. One has to apply on prescribed Form-6 of Election Commission attached with proof of ID, Indian nationality, age and residence.[3][4]

Those of "unsound mind", convicted of "corrupt practices", or offenses related to elections are ineligible to vote. [5]

Applicants have to submit paper Form-6 to their municipal corporation / cantonment board of the area.

Applicants can also apply online on the website of the chief electoral officer given for that State.[6][7]

Fake and defunct voter cards

Fake voter id cards have occasionally been used fraudulently for other purposes by dubious parties and individuals to suit their personal needs. [8][9][10][11]

Validity

If a person moves his/ her residence to another assembly constituency then he does not remain a valid voter of previous constituency. The person has to register afresh as voter in the new assembly constituency. Hence a new card is issued to him/her and the old card becomes invalid.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Election Commission of India". Eci.nic.in. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  2. ↑ "Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka : Homepage". Ceokarnataka.kar.nic.in. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  3. ↑ "Epic Card". Bangaloreone.gov.in. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  4. ↑ "Apply online, get your voter ID in a month - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Step by Step Procedure to Apply for Voter ID Card Online
  7. ↑ "Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala". Ceo.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  8. ↑ "Fake voter ID card for just Rs 200 - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  9. ↑ "ACP to face trial in fake voter ID case as court rejects plea - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  10. ↑ "Fake voter ID card racket busted". The Hindu. 2011-08-21. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  11. ↑ "Fake voter ID card racket busted, three arrested - Indian Express". Archive.indianexpress.com. 2009-04-15. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
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